inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

transitive verb

1

: to swell or distend with air or gas

2

: to puff up : elate

inflate one's ego

3

: to expand or increase abnormally or imprudently

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

inflator noun

or inflater

in-ˈflā-tər 

Choose the Right Synonym for inflate

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume.

expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Examples of inflate in a Sentence

We used a pump to inflate the raft.

Economists warn that rapid economic growth could inflate prices.

Increased competition has inflated salaries among professional athletes.

Rapid economic growth may cause prices to inflate.

Recent Examples on the Web

If Burrow were to inflate his current statistics to a balanced era between the league averages of 2024, 2011, and 2007, Burrow would currently be sitting with 4,926 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. —Tyler Small, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

When the body chamber is inflated, air actuates the robot: Its wings flap downward from their initially flat position. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024

In one case, Shen Yun and a school that trains its dancers received $16 million from The Epoch Times, a newspaper run by Falun Gong followers, during a period when federal prosecutors said the publication’s accounts were inflated in a money-laundering conspiracy. —Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024

He’s scored a goal in nine of those games — so this isn’t a situation where his stats are inflated. —Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflatus, past participle of inflare, from in- + flare to blow — more at blow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

1

: to swell or fill with air or gas

inflate a balloon

2

: to increase abnormally

inflated prices

inflatable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

transitive verb

: to swell or distend with air or gas

inflate the lungs

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

inflation

in-ˈflā-shən 

noun